The latest Frontier Unlocked for Elite Dangerous introduces the Type 8 ship and a significant engineering rebalance aimed at reducing the grind for materials needed for ship upgrades. The update, set for August 7th, will increase material availability and streamline the engineering process, making it more accessible and less frustrating for players.
In the latest edition of Frontier Unlocked for Elite Dangerous, significant updates were announced, particularly the introduction of the Type 8 ship and a major overhaul of the engineering system. This update is being referred to as the “Type 8 Update” and is set to arrive on August 7th. The Type 8 will be available in two tiers of Early Access: a standard version and a Stellar Edition, which comes pre-built with enhancements focusing on cargo capacity and shield boosters. Additionally, two new Jump Start packages aimed at long-range passenger missions and bounty hunting will be introduced.
The engineering rebalance is the most impactful part of the update, addressing long-standing player frustrations regarding the grind associated with acquiring materials for engineering ship modules. Frontier aims to alleviate this grind by increasing the availability of materials from various sources, including points of interest (POIs) and mission rewards. The changes will also affect both ship and on-foot engineering, making material gathering more rewarding and less random.
Specifically, the update will boost the yield of materials at high-grade emission locations, increasing the number of scoopable items significantly. For instance, players can expect to gather between 30 and 100 materials at these locations, compared to the previous yield of 3 to 6. Mission rewards for materials will also see a substantial increase, with potential rewards of up to 24 units of a given material, making it much easier for players to stockpile what they need for engineering.
In terms of the engineering process itself, the update will eliminate the random nature of engineering rolls. Players will now have a predictable system where they can determine exactly how many materials are needed to achieve the desired performance upgrade. This change aims to make the engineering experience more straightforward and less frustrating, allowing players to focus on building their ships without the anxiety of random failures.
Overall, these updates are designed to enhance player experience by making material gathering more accessible and reducing the grind that has been a significant barrier for many players. Frontier’s goal appears to be attracting new players, re-engaging those who have left, and improving the overall flow of the game while maintaining its core elements. The community is encouraged to share their thoughts on the upcoming changes and how they might impact their gameplay moving forward.